Rotherham vs Stoke prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-01-12 15:00.
After conceding eight goals whilst losing his first three games in charge of Rotherham United, Leam Richardson will now look to extend the Millers’ unbeaten league run to four matches (W1, D2) against Stoke City. Although they were defeated 1-0 by Premier League Fulham in the FA Cup last Friday, Richardson took positives from the game and pointed out post match that his side are “not going to face much stiffer opposition than we did tonight” across the rest of this campaign.
That said, Rotherham found Stoke a very tough opponent earlier this season when they were thrashed 4-1 and 6-1 in away EFL Cup and league fixtures in August. Bottom of the table and seven points from safety, they’ll be desperate to take revenge here by making it three home games on the spin unbeaten. And with all but three of their points this season won at Aesseal New York Stadium, they’ll feel they have every chance.
The Potters are seven points above the relegation places and although they are unbeaten in their last six in the league (W1, D5), they have won just once across all competitions since the start of November (D7, L5). That victory did come under Steven Schumacher, who has been in charge for the last five, and has taken four points from his two away games at the helm of the club.
Schumacher took three points from the Millers last month with a 3-2 win in his last game as Plymouth manager, but in spite of their strong H2H record earlier this season, his new side have struggled on their visits to Rotherham this century (D4, L3). That record means that Stoke fans will make the trip on Saturday hoping to return with three points for the first time since 1993!
Players to watch: Rotherham midfielder Sam Clucas will be particularly keen to maintain his recent form of a goal and an assist from his last two league games as he faces his former club. Another player excited about the fixture will be Stoke’s leading scorer André Vidigal who scored twice on his debut for the team against Rotherham in August.
Hot streak: Stoke have scored at least one first-half goal in each of their last five away games.